I'm always in search of the cosmopolitan lifestyle on the Eastside. As a Bellevue-ite, I don't like traveling across either bridge to find cool things to do . Be surprised at all there is to do on the Eastside. The Eastside; it's more than a place, it's a lifestyle.

Holiday Shopping Ideas off the Beaten Path

Tired of the same old shopping venues? Here are some ideas that came up. If you want to shop green, or find unique one of a kind gifts, or even shop boutique style, here are some suggestions from Santa’s helper.

Poshtini at Posh on Main

If you are in Seattle:
Artifakt Art Show will highlight the works of Keger, Ego, Charms, and more. There will be live painting by GNFAM and 2FT crews and Flykickz, with live hip hop and beats setting the scene all night.
Lo_Fi Performance Gallery (249b Eastlake Ave. E.)
12/14/07, Lo-Fi PErformance Gallery, 9:00p- 2:00a, +21, 2 bars, $10 cover

Thursday, December 13, 2007, 4 – 6pm
Where Mario’s Downtown Seattle
1513 6th Ave., Seattle, WA 98101
Note The happy hours won’t stop until the holidays do
Once again, Mario’s is hosting four special happy hours over four weeks
in each store, all designed to get you primed for the season. Taste a
signature cocktail (courtesy of Indio Spirits), see great friends and
otherwise have a fantastic night out. You can even get some shopping
done: with 10 percent off any one item during any of these events.

SHOP GREEN! REGIFT, REUSE, RECYCLE~!
Overlake Service League Thrift Shop in Bellevue Square
This place has like new, opulent clothing, jewelry and housewares. It’s shopping “green” by buying a cool item to reuse.

Bellevue Goodwill on Northup
This place is great for unusual finds. I even found some brand new Pottery Barn items here. Someone probably got them for a gift then decided to donate them to the Goodwill.
It’s a treasure hunt, and as I always say, “one man’s ceiling is another man’s floor”.
I’ve also found designer label clothing like Guess?, Manolo Blahnik, BCBG, Versace, and Dolce and Gabbana..seriously folks! I also found a pair of genuine diamond stud earrings for 29.99!

Swank Show Highland Community Center 14224 Bel-Red Rd. Dec. 15th
Swank draws the creme de la creme of Seattle’s hip art crowd.
It provides a place where artists and designers can showcase their items, and people can shop for unique pieces. It’s the trunk show of all trunk shows.
10 AM till 4PM

Art as Gifts
Kirkland Arts Center presents a great way to shop. You can buy fine arts , crafts, and gifts created by KAC instuctors, ceramic artists, and members. Ends Dec. 19th.
www.kirklandartscenter.org
Find a one of a kind gift!